Home Sweet Home

I'm finally back in the blogging world! After a week of unpacking, discovering a brand new broken washing machine, trying to organize all of our crap and missing the cable guy, we are finally moved in and hooked up to the internet! It's good to be home! I have yet to get my knitting goods all organized and get my knitting spot all comfy but I hope to do that this weekend - along with a much deserved trip to the yarn store for a much deserved treat!
The other craziness of my month deals with my job - I got a new one! I'm so excited! Starting mid-April, I'm going to be a producer for a local channel! Can't wait! I'm hoping this will free up some of my nights for more knitting groups!

Dedicated felter

I am a dedicated felter. With less then 24 hours before movers show up to haul my crap to the new pad, instead of frantically packing/cleaning/swearing about the mess/level of crap....I was felting my grommit bag. I gave up a few precious hours of sleep last night to finish the damn thing. The bag felted lovely and is drying now. I haven't even started the strap, but I figured I'd rather risk felting a strap in my new front-loader washing machine than risk ruining the bag. Then I would have had to start all over and Carrie and Rebecca would never want to be in a knit-a-long with me again. Speed Knitter (Carrie) and Speed Picker (Rebecca) would continually laugh at Slow-Ass Knitter (me) at the mere thought to knitting another project together. I swear I'm almost done ladies!

My March Madness....

This month is one for the books. I feel like I've been whipped around in the winds that roar in like a lion. I'm waiting for the lamb to come and rescue me (and maybe give me some beautiful wool to boot!). Despite my wonderful, relaxing trip and my invigorating writing conference, other forces have been at work keeping my stress level high and knitting time low. There were times I had to choose between knitting and sleep. Sometimes I chose knitting, sometimes I chose sleep. In keeping with the March madness, I'm trying to pack like a mad-woman because we are moving on Saturday! While I'm thrilled with our new - much bigger - place, I'm overwhelmed with the amount of crap I have. I've been living in a one bedroom 700 sq. ft. apt. with a boy for over a year now. I have a lot of crap. It's amazing to me all the places I found to stash my crap in 700 sq. ft. apt. with another person. Basically as I pack, if I come across something I haven't used in the year-and-a-half I've lived here, it goes in the donation pile. Except yarn. That is certainly not crap. And I'll have much more space for my beautiful yarn in my new home.

Writing geek

I am a writing geek. But I love it. I'm a the Nationals Writers Workshop in Portland this weekend and I am just so inspired. I'm taking these great workshops with award winning writers and just am in awe. Our keynote speaker this morning was Jim Amoss, Editor of the Times-Picayuane in New Orleans. He talked about his experience, and his staff's experience of reporting in the days after Hurricane Katrina. The slides he presented, the stories he told of how his staff kissed their families good-bye and then they stayed behind. How they had to flee their office on newspaper delivery trucks with only what they could fit on their laps. He spoke of how reporters came upon a Wal-mart to get food and water, only to see cops and others looting. With no one to take their money, the reporters then became part of the story if they took food and water. So they left empty handed. I can't imagine how hard it would be to put down the bottle of water after 36 hours of surviving a storm to go back and do the story and not become the story. I don't know if I could have done that for a 99 cent bottle of water. I've met a writer and educator whom I admire greatly, Chip Scanlan. I tried to remain cool and calm as he autographed a book for me but I don't think I succeeded. I feel inspired and ready to get one of my 30 by 30 goals off the computer and into reality - start writing my book. Wish me luck!

Vacation bliss

After several days of frolicking on the beach, snorkeling and soaking up as much sun as SPF 50 allows you too, I have returned from the Cayman Islands...although I'm not sure why. No knitting was accomplished on this trip as it was hard to hold my cocktail and knitting on the beach, so a good magazine beat out the knitting. So as to not bore you will all of my vacation pics...here are some of my favorites!

My sister Lindsay and I at Rum Pointe holding our signature drinks of the trip, Cayman Lemonade. We sampled them from all over the island. The Rum Pointe concoction was the best.

This guy lives at Rum Pointe. I think he's cute.

My new happy place. This is the dock at Rum Pointe taken from my spot on the beach. I miss it. I need to go back there. We all do. Trust me.

These are the conch shells we went snorkeling for. If you look closely, they are still inhabited by the conch. Not any more. We ate them and are preserving the shells to keep! In case you are wondering, conch tastes like chicken!

You may have to squint for this one. Here are Lindsay, my mom, and our Cayman hostess with the mostess, our cousin's wife Nan swimming with the sting rays..those big black things next to them! They are fun to swim with and soft to touch! I only got back on the boat to take the pic and reapply the SPF 50!

Island knitting...

Why is it when you are getting ready to go on vacation, there is so much that needs to be done. Between working ahead so you don't have an overwhelming in box, laundry, taking care of the little things around the house (like remembering to pay your bills and clean out the fridge so you don't return a horrible stench in the dark)...you practically need a vacation before you go on vacation! That is what happened to me this week. And sadly, no knitting was accomplished. Not even to finish the gift that will be presented in pieces only to be taken back to finish up later. I'll try to knit while relaxing by the beach, but I'm not to sure about the combo of wool, sand, humidity and the fact that I will be consuming fruity, tropical drinks with umbrellas in them. But I'll take the knitting with me. I'm off to the Cayman Islands....a knitting/island report to come later!
P.S. I know you have no sympathy for my hectic week prior to my vacation. I understand. I'd loathe me too.

I love the 80's

I just returned home from the Bon Jovi concert! I love Bon Jovi - always have - always will. I don't care what people say. They just do not understand. It' like people who mock knitting. Why bother trying to change them. There is time better spent - like watching Jon Bon Jovi shake his fine ass on stage. That man can rock! They played for quite a while, mixing the new Bon Jovi in with the classics. The concert was sold out with 10,000 plus fans - the majority women - but I swear, there were a few moments where Jon Bon Jovi was singing just to me. It was a beautiful moment. Had I not been so excited about the concert, I might have remembered my camera. Oh well, I have the memories, and the hope that Jon and I will meet again someday.

*On a knitting note....Rebecca and Carrie have finished their bags. Mine is still far from done. Plus...check out Rebecca's Web site...she's making some header changes and they look good!

A new experience for me

Today I signed up to participate in the 2006 Danskin Triathalon. It's a mini-tri with a 1/2 mile swim, 13 mile bike ride and a 5K run. I have never done anything like this before in my life. I've never even considered myself athletic. I'm excited, nervous and a bit scared at this new adventure. I believe in myself and I'm training with a great group of women! Plus I've convinced my sister Lindsay to sign up too! This year I turned 30, and I think it's fitting that I'm trying something new like this in my 30th year!

KAL Smackdown -smacked down again!

Once again, I am defeated. This time I put up a strong fight only to be thwarted in the end. Speed Knitter (a.k.a Carrie) and Speed Picker (a.k.a Rebecca) met to knit when they knew I was unavailable. They proceeded to drink coffee, coffee and more coffee and knit for FOUR hours to beat me! They play dirty. Whatever. Let them be that way. I'm so over it!!!! So once again I have to catch up. This may be the last KAL I do....I can't take the pressure!

Hangin' with Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart was in town signing books at Sur La Table. I went down there and got in line to wait to meet her and get her to sign my books! It was a long line, but I didn't care. It was however, very cold. Too cold to knit, although I did my best until my hands were numb.



While I was standing there flipping through my book, a photographer with the AP came and took my picture and it's on the Yahoo News site!

Here's my book!

It was cool to meet her and she was very nice and we chatted about how sweet it was of me to get a book for my mom who couldn't come up from Boise to go to the book signing with me. I told my mom how I stood in line and froze my butt off for her book. She said we were now even for the time when I was 7 and she got up at 4 a.m. to make sure I got a Cabbage Patch Kid for Christmas. You're right mom, we're even.

KAL Smackdown - Round Two

Part two of the KAL is back. The Smackdown continues. After losing horribly to Speed Knitter (a.k.a. Carrie) and Warp Speed Picker (a.k.a. Rebecca) Slow-Ass Knitter (a.k.a. me) is tending to my wounds and picking up the needles for Round Two. I feel stronger. I'm just going to brush off the disappointment of my slow knitting and go on. So far, I am about 2 inches into the back side of the bag. I am a little concerned that my busy work schedule (two more night meeting scheduled for next week -grrr...) will slow down my valiant return efforts. I feel that city leaders (and my boss) may frown on the idea of me knitting through meetings instead of taking notes. Sad world we live in isn't it? Wish me luck!

Powering through the knitting funk

I've decided the only way to over come knitting funk is to quite simply - knit. I've finished another flower wash cloth. This one looks more like a flower and less like an amoeba - like my first one. I knitted this one on circular needles instead of DPNs. Obviously I was quite loose with the knitting for the first one. I suppose it's better to be loose with the yarn than with the men! Although it would really depend on the project I guess! Now I've casted on for another one. Since these are gifts with the deadline coming up, it's really helping with the knitting funk...knowing I'll see the joy on their faces when I give them away. And if I don't see the freakin' joy, I'm taking my cool knitted flower wash cloths away!

Knitting funk

I'm in a knitting funk. I haven't touched any projects, books or yarn all week. I went to two yarn stores today in the hopes of over coming this tragic ailment. No luck at the first spot. Not much better luck as the second. I bought a pretty light orange color for another flower wash cloth but it's for a gift. I need something fun and challenging to get back in the knitting way. I miss it. I long for it. Just have no inspiration.

The end of Rosy and a sweet surprise!

Saturday Rebecca and I hit the open road for a day trip to Tacoma to check out the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat. Being the oh-so careful planners that we are, we weren't signed up for anything and just decided to check it out. Upon our arrival, Rebecca made a bee-line for the sign-up sheet to a free round table session with the Yarn Harlot. It was full so Rebecca signed us up for the non-existent waiting list. We then met up with Jessica and Lorette for a little knitting and discussion. It was then, that my lovely Rosy met her untimely fate. As I've blogged before, I was concerned about Rosy's size. Turns out, I was right. My gauge was way off and Jessica, Rebecca and I could have all worn Rosy - at the same time - had I continued on.

So I ripped. And I ripped. Very traumatic but thanks to my support (all of whom whipped out their camera's to document) I survived. Next up, lunch time. Rebecca and I hit a Mexican spot for a little liquid consolation over Rosy. Then we went back to try and charm our way into Stephanie's class. Turns out, we're very charming and got in! We learned a ton of great tricks for fixing mistakes and we discussed the Rosy incident. I felt better.

Still mourning the loss of Rosy, I came home from work today and found another treat from my Secret Pal!

She sent me a Valentines Day card, chocolate bars (that didn't make the picture-didn't eat them...just forgot them) a row counter, needle gauge guide and these handy flash cards full of knitting tips. I'm especially fond of the one about gauge! Thanks Secret Pal you're the best!

The Knitting Knot

I thought I'd start a new, quick fun project tonight, another flower wash cloth from Weekend Knitting. It's not starting out so quick and easy however.


Hmph....will keep at it. In other knitting news, tomorrow I'm off for a road trip to Tacoma with Rebecca to check out the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat.

The upside of wisdom teeth removal

I'm trying to look at the upside of having my wisdom teeth removed since I like to think I'm a the-glass-is-half-full kind of girl. Basically, once the grogginess, throbbing pain and swollen face went away, the doctor told me to lay on the couch, watch T.V., eat milkshakes and knit. And knit I did (once the grogginess wore off). Here's proof:



I finished the Flower Wash cloth from Weekend Knitting. Although it looks like an amoeba in this picture.







I finally finished the front side of my felted bag that I'm working on for my KAL. Rebecca came over to bring me some ice cream and forced me finish this project since she and Carrie have knit circles around me. They've already started the second part - unlike we originally decided which was to start TOGETHER. They need to work on their listening skills.



And I'm just a few rows away from finishing the back of Rosy. It's so lovely. Although, it seems really big but I'm sure that's just because: A-I've never knit a sweater before and don't know what to expect. B-It's just a funky knit pattern because it's knit sideways. C-I've just screwed the damn thing up. But I'll knit on and have faith in the pattern and myself.

As I write this, I'm watching the Grammy's and Sir Paul McCartney just did a cover of U2's Helter Skelter. I'm not sure what I feel right now: surprised -shocked-frightened. A little of all three I think.

Thanks Secret Pal!

What a wonderful treat today! When I came from work my package from my Secret Pal was waiting for me! Inside the box was a cute card, bookmark, an adorable package of soap, lip balm, lotion and a sewing kit and thimble plus Knitting Over the Edge! I've been lusting after that book! I just love it! It was a great gift and I'm so happy! And it couldn't come at a better time because tomorrow, I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed! UGH! Not looking forward to it, but now, once I come out of the grogginess, I can sit back, flip through the book and admire the pretty pictures - while trying not to drool on them of course! Thanks again SP! You're the best!

I am a spazz knitter!

Did you ever have one of those spastic knitting moments? You know the type....forget for a moment how to knit, purl, bind off, cast on. Just those moments when you've done something so many times you just simply forget it. Kind of like when you're getting ready to head into a meeting at work and you have that thought flash through your brain - 'Did I remember to put on deodorant this morning?' Deny it if you like, but I know I'm not alone. Last night at my knitting group, Purly Girls, I had a total spastic knitting moment. The beauty of a spastic knitting moment is that they never happen when you're alone, just when you're in the company of talent other knitters. Last night, I couldn't remember how to use DPNs! Now I know they are difficult to use, but I love them! I use them all the time! I encourage others to learn how to knit on them! But for some reason, I couldn't get the damn things to join the flower petals for the flower wash cloth from Weekend Knitting! It was embarrassing, funny and a typical Megan knitting moment. Because earlier in the evening, we had discussed how once again, I purled backwards (dont' ask..it's a gift really) and my half a row of stitches were funny on my Rosy!!! Rebecca, a.k.a. uber knitter, wanted me to try and fix it. The funky row was so far down there, I just couldn't possibly do that. My solution was one much simpler, I shall wear my hair down when I wear Rosy. And possibly, not wear Rosy around Rebecca (the mistake is in the back). I'm just going to chock it up to a life-knitting lesson learned and move on. As for my DPN incident, I recovered, oh so gracefully (not really, but I'm trying to get over it) and am still finishing up the wash cloth. Photos to come later - provided I can get the thing that connects to the computer thingy to work.

Knitting overload

So the non-knitting diet I was having at the beginning of the month is way over. Now I've got knitting overload! The list that I made earlier to help me focus didn't work. In fact I threw out all of those stale projects and have four new projects over-flowing from my knitting bag! I love them all and the immense pile of knitting is somewhat stressing me out! God I love it!
What's in the knitting bag?
1. Rosy - Debbie Bliss
2. Hobo Grommet bag
3. Irish Hiking Scarf
4. Flower wash cloths from Weekend Knitting (new project started this weekend 'cause I didn't have enough!)

I've been tagged!

Mara tagged me so here goes!

Four places I have lived:
1. Boise, Idaho
2. Ketchum, Idaho
3. Manassas, Va
4. Tucson, Az

Four movies I could watch over and over:
1. Sliding Doors
2. A&E's Pride and Prejudice
3.Sense and Sensibility
4.The Little Mermaid

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Gilmore Girls
2. Friends
3. Related
4. Days of Our Lives (sad, I know)

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Paris
2. London
3. Cayman Islands
4. Stanley, Idaho

Four websites you visit daily:
1. www.hotmail.com
2. www.seattletimes.com,
3. www.msn.com
4. www.blogger.com

Four of your favorite foods:
1. popcorn
2. cookies
3. chicken enchiladas
4. lasagna

Four places you would rather be right now:
1. the front porch of my family's place in Cascade, Id
2. knitting with friends
3. Paris
4. any warm, sunny beach

Four bloggers you are tagging:
I think I'm the last one...but if you want it...you got it!